Friday, 6 November 2015

MUSANDAM , OMAN

Musandam, Oman

Although it is just a 2 hour drive from Dubai, Musandam Oman, couldn’t be more distant in terms of scenery and atmosphere. Driving through the neighbouring emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah one leaves behind the slick, 21st century city and one passes flaming oil wells and the clay mines of Ras Al Khaimah from where the scenery, dominated by the Hajar Mountains, becomes more and more rugged and the pace of life is discernibly slower.

Small isolated villages on the edge of the fjords still exist. The children of the village are transported to school by boat on Sunday and they return to their families Thursday evening.Les petits villages isolés sur le bord des fjords existent encore. Les enfants du village sont transportés à l'école en bateau chaque dimanche et ils retournent dans leur famille chaque jeudi soir.

The Musandam peninsula is an exclave of Oman, separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates. Due to its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz the Musandam area has great strategic importance. The world’s fastest passenger ferry connects Musandam and Muscat. During the six hour journey one is transported from the mouth of the Gulf of Oman through the Strait of Hormuz.

Historically, the area’s main income was from fishing. Whilst the activity continues, today tourism also brings a relevant income to the area. At the northern end of the peninsular are fjords of great beauty and these can be explored from a dhow, a traditional fishing boat. Guests can ‘jump ship’ and snorkel in the beautiful turquoise waters. A magical moment for me is when the dolphins come to play alongside the dhow

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About Me

Céret, in the Pyrenées Orientales, France, is home: hardly a hardship as it is such a beautiful area and the sun shines over us much of the year. Although I am English, Céret has been my base for the past 14 years. Located in the Catalan region of France, we enjoy outstanding views of the Pyrenées and in early spring the Mimosa colours the mountain-side yellow. Due to the region's superb quality of light, many artists have frequented the area: Dufy, Dali, Picasso to name but a few and their influence remains, most noteably in Céret's Museum of Modern Art. Spain and the Mediterranean Sea are just 30 minutes away and Barcelona can be reached on the TGV train in just over an hour and a half. Although I am English, my heart definitely lies in France. I love the language, I admire the French people's respect for the family unit and, on a daily basis, their respect for mealtimes when the family comes together to talk and to eat good, Mediterranean food.

I have also lived in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, a country which could be described as a tossed salad: people from more than 200 nationalities live in the United Arab Emirates. I definitely left a part of my heart there. I love the country and, for all its idiosyncracies, it is a land of opportunity, where anything is possible: both for the Nation and for those who live there. Nowhere else have I lived where I have felt so motivated to see, hear and do. Inspiration is all around and that, for me, converts into positive energy.

I have been very fortunate to have travelled extensively, although there are many more destinations yet to visit - with my camera! The questions is: where next?!!